source: https://pixabay.com/pl/photos/ma%C5%82pa-baby-po%C5%BCar-lasu-strach-4273153/
Almost every one of us have been at
McDonald’s restaurant at least once. Some people even claim this restaurant as
their favorite one. Let me now assume something and put you in a very probable
situation: you are at the Macdonald's restaurant eating your favorite hamburger
- or taking into consideration our current coronavirus situation - you've
ordered McDouble with delivery. Some thoughts of how much unhealthy McDonald’s
food is are coming to your head. But has it ever occurred to you that besides
being unhealthy this burger also contributes to global deforestation? Yes, that
is true. To provide meat for customers McDonalds’ needs plenty of space for
crops and cattle. It is rare when we take a moment to wonder about the origin
of the meat we buy in supermarkets or the meat we eat in restaurants. As it
turns out, soybeans are the main crop that is used to feed animals intended for
such meat. Many wooded areas on Earth are for this reason being burned and used
as farmland. Of course, we need to meet the demand of people not suffering from
hunger, but the sad reality is the fact that a huge part of the produced food
is actually being wasted.
When we hear from time to time or
occasionally think about global deforestation it primarily induces within us
the feeling of consternation and helplessness. But the thought of global
deforestation never provokes within us the feeling of guilt. Why would it even?
If the actions we take are connected with our planet, it is rather something
good like helping the environment by planting new trees in our yards or neighborhoods.
Unfortunately, besides this fact, each of us involuntarily contribute to global
deforestation every single day. Massive consumption and our constant need for
something new are the main causes of our planet suffering from global warming. Hence,
global warming is mainly caused by our ongoing harmful activities. One of the
most effective ways to deal with global warming is to plant new trees. Trees
absorb CO2 and release the oxygen that the Earth needs. Instead, the trees all
around the planet are being cut down or burned on a large scale, causing
massive carbon emissions.
The question now is, what actions can we
take to help our planet? Of course, we must continue planting new trees as much
as possible. But most of all, we need to make a stop at least to some point. We
need to stop at this massive consumption we create every single day. Also, we should also encourage our friends and families to do so. I obviously cannot
order anyone to try to live modestly, but I can recommend trying taking control
of the greediness, overeating and gluttony if we at least a little bit care
about maintaining the world so gorgeously beautiful and healthy.
Questions:
1. Did you know about the scale of
deforestation that is happening all around the world?
2. Have you ever planted any trees?
3. Do you feel the need to change something
in your life in order to make the planet a nice place to live?
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-55086977
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/science-environment-54652094
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54408544
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-53438680
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-55130304
1. I guess that the scale of deforestation in the world is huge and reaches far area away, but I had no idea that a famous fast food restaurant McDonald’s chain was contributing so much to environmental degradation.
ReplyDelete2. Interesting question 😊 I used to planted trees every year in my parents garden. Additionally, during my previous studies I had the pleasure of participating in many college internships where I planted trees and shrubs. Every year I plant peppers, tomatoes, and establish a herbarium on my balcony.
3. I think I am doing enough to make a positive impact on the planet, planting trees, taking care of the environment, sorting trash, trying not to throw away leftover food, going shopping with my own linen bags. If you know how else I can make a difference for the environment, I would love to hear from you.
1. Yes, I did know about it. The overpopulation of the world is one reason for it. The massive consumption is caused by the fact that there are too many people to feed on earth. The second important reason is the fact that we don’t always manage our resources optimally.
ReplyDelete2. When I was in primary school during the Earth Day we planted some trees every year, I’m really glad that the teachers took this initiative.
3. Of course I feel the need to make the planet better. I consider myself as a conscious consumer, I try to use many eco - friendly products.
I didn't know about the scale of deforestation that is happening all around the world. This is very disturbing.
ReplyDeleteYes I planted many trees in my garden. Now that plants became big trees. Many birds build nest in that. I gave shade. I am so happy with that. When I heard this question I remember I thing that is: When I was in school there were a program called “My Tree”. The government conduct that program. Which is in school each student will get a small plant. We should plant that in to our garden and daily we should observe the growth of plant. And they provide a diary in that we should note down all the things about our tree. That program helps me to grow the interest of planting trees. Now there are many trees I planted.
It is sad that images of gigantic metropolises like in the blade runner are a very likely landscape in a few years. I personally appreciate the closeness of nature and long walks with my dog. I cannot imagine living in a world where the sight of a forest is a total exotic. Lately I have simply been trying to buy and use products more consciously. I pay more attention to what and in what quantity I need.
ReplyDelete1. Deforestation is usually the end result of the use of exhaust gas repayment. It is really dangerous, it can lead to floods, droughts, landslides, or other terrible situations. Forests are protected in stable democratic countries. Deforestation is a disappointing fact. In the European Union countries, new eco policies led to grown of forest areas. However, many of the poor countries like Africa, Asia, and South America are cut down with tropical forests. The world's most important lungs are being destroyed.
ReplyDelete2. Once with my dad, when I was little, we planted small conifers in my parents' garden.
3. I know that fossil fuel is very bad and it is the cause that contributes to the greatest damage to our planet. This leads to global warming. In the near future, I want to change to an electric car, thanks to which I will contribute to the protection of our planet. Additionally, I have been segregating rubbish for a long time and drinking water from the tap, because the water in Warsaw is drinkable, thanks to this, I don't generate excessive amounts of plastic.
Yes, I've known about the scale of deforestation for a very long time. From the times of elementary school and middle school, where the topics of the environment of our planet were discussed in science subjects, it was possible to learn a lot of facts - even then this problem was enormous, now it can only get much worse.
ReplyDeleteI've never planted any trees by myself, but the company I work for is very pro carbon negative. This means that as an organization we are very friendly to the environment and we participate in many events focused on doing good to our planet. For example, in December last year, each of the company's employees and customers could plant a tree by signing an appropriate contract. The seedlings were named and then planted in nearby places around Warsaw.
I believe that there is nothing I can change in my way of life that would contribute even more to the good of the planet. I segregate garbage, save water and energy, try not to produce too much waste, use public transport, don't have a car, and more...
Yes, I know that the scale of deforestation in the world is huge. Due to our lifestyle and consumerism, forests have been turning into fields of soybean and palm oil cultivation for years. Borneo is turning into a desert, the ogangutans are almost extinct. We have been struggling with this problem as well as with plastic for years. Unfortunately, not many people cared about it until recently.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have planted trees many times. I started as a kid with my dad. We planted trees around the neighborhood, usually they didn't last long because they were too weak to handle the mower of some idiot mowing the grass by the road.
I try to live ecologically, but more and more I have the impression that it is too late.
Did you know about the scale of deforestation that is happening all around the world?
ReplyDeleteI know, and it is devastating, not only humans destroy forests, but in last few years we had huge forest fires which also caused a lot od damage.
I've never planted any trees, but I've planted flowers when I was little with my grandfather. I don't know if it counts. :D
I don't think that i need to change something, I don't think that any actions I do cause much damage, I'm a regular person who segregate waste, save everything, only thing a bit harmfull is driving a car which consume a lot of fuel, but I can't give up on my car since I'm a very big car enthusiast and mine is very rare. :(
I try to keep up to date with environmental issues and for several years I've been supporting Greenpeace's activities for the seas and oceans, which, like forests, are the lungs of our planet.
ReplyDeleteI've never planted trees. I only have experience with potted plants.
Of course, it seems to me that every person feels the need to take care of their home! I try to buy a lot of used things, repair old ones instead of throwing them away. I also don't buy meat and foil-wrapped fruits and vegetables, and I rarely throw away food. I also look at the expiry date of products to choose those with a short one. These are the basics, but I believe that on a larger scale they make a difference in the amount of garbage.
Unfortunately, I am aware of how many trees are cut. It's heart breaking how we treat our only home and destroy it for our own profit. Fortunately, there are also many organizations and government projects focusing on the planting of new trees and the reforestation process. An example is Costa Rica, which has doubled its forested area in 30 years. Another country fighting deforestation is Pakistan, which has planted 1 billion trees in recent years and plans to plant another 10 billion in 5 years.
ReplyDeleteI have never planted any tree myself but I work in the same company as Kuba. Our company is carbon-negative this means that our company's "actions" instead of creating more carbon reduces it. We take part in various events and programs aimed at improving the quality of our environment. Last year, the company was involved in planting a large number of trees.
You can always do something more and it depends only on us and our will. I segregate rubbish, try to use a small amount of water, but I could probably do more if I had the will and strength.
I have heard about the scale of deforestration, it is kinda frightening how far can people go to meet their needs. Although I do not follow this aspect on daily basis I assume we are going completely wrong way, I dread to think what will happen in 30-40 years.
ReplyDeleteI have planted a few trees in my life, mostly fruit trees.
It is hard to say whether I need to change something in my life in case of saving our planet or not. My personal opinion is that as a single human being I cannot do much. I try to sort rubbish or not to waste food but I think that our governments can do more to save the planet. In my opinion the real problem is that they don't.
1. Yes, I was aware about this problem, I remember when I was a child and watch many documentary movies in science TV channels, I recently still hear about this problem. For example last time I watched “Our planet” documentary movie in Netflix which partly shows this problem.
ReplyDelete2. Yes, I planted a trees with my grandfather. I think people would do it more often if the law in our country would be more liberal. I mean many of my friends would plant a tree if they knew they can cut it in the future and do what they want in their property (now tree is a problem in your garden).
3. First thing I would to change are plastic bottles. Now I see how many of them I'm throw in the trash during daily life. I would prefer to have glass bottles and fill them in stores. I think it would be much more ecological and safer for our planet. For companies delivery costs would be much smaller for me win/win situation
Now there is a lot of talk about ecology and climate problems. I think everyone should be interested in these things because everyone contributes to it. It is in everyone's interest really.
ReplyDeleteI have never planted trees. I have a friend who does it regularly and I am incredibly proud of him.
I'm actually trying to do a lot to make our planet work. Unfortunately, it's the big corporations that make plastic, for example, that should take action. The government, which regulates all the laws and has control over us, also has a lot to say. But as we know, the world is ruled by money... I hope that soon everyone will see what is happening to our planet and even the biggest money will not matter.
1. I am glad to find out here. I have little awareness. Especially after TV broadcasting the situation of the Białowieża Forest. I just think that not only Mc Donalds contributes to this, it is definitely a representative brand example because each of us here on the blog knows.
ReplyDelete2. Just like blooming Magnolias touch me very much, they are so delicate and dignified. They are a dream in my garden in future.
However, after reading your article, as soon as it is possible to plant a tree, I'll do it with pleasure.
3. I think that I've made quite a lot of changes in my life when it comes to ecology. Among others, reusable nets, reduce plastic to the necessary minimum etc. I was strongly inspired by Polish youtuber Lisa Piekło and Arlena Wit - whos changed theirs way of life.
Did you know about the scale of deforestation that is happening all around the world?
ReplyDeleteYes,I'm aware of that problem. While i was watching the news and there were fires in Amazonia, Australia and USA, there was a block containing data about how much of forests are gone and how much animals died in them.
Have you ever planted any trees?
Yes, I planted several in my life, but without any deeper thought - just normal work in gardens.
Do you feel the need to change something in your life in order to make the planet a nice place to live?
I'm trying to be neutral,but i think that the most impact on the topic have governments .